On Thursday (Sept. 4) afternoon at Davis & Elkins, Ashland University's men's soccer team used contributions from many new players in new positions for a 1-0 win – the Eagles' first victory to open a campaign since the COVID-19 pandemic-induced 2021 spring season.
Ashland put an early stamp on Thursday's game when, in the third minute, sophomore midfielder
Lewis Hill made it a 1-0 lead following a header on a cross from the opposite sideline by senior forward
Rodri Jimenez.
It was Hill's first goal as an Eagle, in his first varsity game as an Eagle.
The Eagles maintained that slim lead until the 60
th minute, when Santiago Maiolo potted the tying goal for D&E on an assist from Hugo Fauli.
Ashland, however, put itself back on top for good in the 78
th minute on senior forward
Soshi Tanaka's first career collegiate varsity goal, unassisted.
Sophomore goalkeeper
Alvaro Boned, seeing action in his first game at Ashland on Thursday, came up with eight saves.
ANALYZING THE STAT SHEET
- The reason Boned needed to stop so many shots was Davis & Elkins out-shooting AU by a 19-4 count.
- Of the game's 14 corner kicks, 12 were taken by the Senators.
- The two teams combined for eight yellow cards to begin the new season (Ashland 5, Davis & Elkins 3).
NEXT UP
The 2025 home opener at Ferguson Field on Sunday (Sept. 7) at 1 p.m. vs. Millersville (1-0).
